Oakland's school superintendent resigns

Sudden announcement blindsides staff, board

Superintendent Tony Smith (in blue striped tie), speaking at a Berkeley math panel, has led Oakland's schools toward stability after years of financial and academic turmoil.

Superintendent Tony Smith (in blue striped tie), speaking at a Berkeley math panel, has led Oakland's schools toward stability after years of financial and academic turmoil.

Photo: Jessica Olthof, The Chronicle

Image 2 of 3

Tony Smith speaking at a math panel at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley on April 5th, 2013 in Berkeley, Calif. Tony Smith, superintendent of Oakland schools, has become a force in state education politics and policies. less

Tony Smith speaking at a math panel at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley on April 5th, 2013 in Berkeley, Calif. Tony Smith, superintendent of Oakland schools, has become a force in state ... more

Photo: Jessica Olthof, The Chronicle

Image 3 of 3

Tony Smith speaking at a math panel at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley on April 5th, 2013 in Berkeley, Calif. Tony Smith, superintendent of Oakland schools, has become a force in state education politics and policies. less

Tony Smith speaking at a math panel at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, Berkeley on April 5th, 2013 in Berkeley, Calif. Tony Smith, superintendent of Oakland schools, has become a force in state ... more

Photo: Jessica Olthof, The Chronicle

Oakland's school superintendent resigns

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

Oakland's school Superintendent Tony Smith announced his resignation to district administrators Friday morning, shocking staff and school board members.

Smith said his family would be moving to Chicago to be closer to his wife's parents. His last day is June 30.

Smith, 46, who previously was deputy superintendent in San Francisco, took the top job in Oakland in 2009 as the district was attempting to address the financial disarray that led to a state takeover in 2003, which remains in effect.

During his tenure, he launched several reforms centered on raising the quality and expectations of all schools and especially those serving low-income and minority students. His efforts included creating full-service schools that offer academic support as well as health care, help for parents and access to community services. Test scores and other academic indicators such as graduation rates improved on his watch, although they continue to lag well behind state averages.

He also reined in spending and last year eliminated a structural deficit for the first time in a more than a decade.

But he also drew criticism from the teachers union for his attempts to curb seniority rights and from the community when he pushed to close several schools.

His departure leaves no heir apparent, and the board is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss his resignation and the process for finding a replacement.

Smith notified school board members of the decision Thursday night in a closed-session meeting.

"Kathleen's father was recently hospitalized and is in poor health," he told The Chronicle prior to his public announcement, referring to his wife. "We have decided to move to Chicago to be closer to family so that we can be there to help and so that the kids can spend time with their grandparents."

Seeking continuity

Board members said they will be looking for a replacement who continues the work Smith started.

"I think there are people who really want to be in Oakland and work with us on this initiative," said board member Jody London. "I want to emphasize it wasn't expected, but it also is not a crisis."

Smith had two years left on his contract and was widely regarded as a leader who brought stability to a district plagued by fiscal chaos and a dysfunctional school board.

Smith, whose salary is $265,000, balanced the budget for the district, which for years had been spending more than it got.

While the district is still under state supervision until it repays a $100 million loan from the state's bailout,the board and superintendent have had all powers restored.

Voters respond

A year ago, a poll of likely voters showed the district's highest approval rating in 18 years.

"He's leaving the district and the community more aligned than we have been in a while," said Jonathan Klein, executive director of the nonprofit Great Oakland Public Schools. "The job of superintendent of Oakland public schools is one of the most complex and challenging of any (school systems) in the world."

Smith also created a strategic plan that focused on the needs of African American, Latino and low-income students.

Last year, the district was targeted for disproportionate suspension rates among African Americans and was subject to federal intervention. Instead, the district voluntarily adopted a plan to address the problem, including manhood development classes to support black males as well as restorative justice, which limits out-of-class punishment options at schools.

Smith was known for his passionate speeches, which often included references to institutional racism and white privilege and the resulting unequal access to quality teachers and exceptional schools.

"He worked hard to create spaces for courageous conversation about race and class and poverty," Klein said. "I do think that that is a piece of his legacy."

Some detractors

But not everyone was a fan.

Parents and teachers derided him as a racist and picketed his house when he recommended closing five schools in the district last year, four of which served predominantly minority students.

Still, his departure was not welcome news.

"I'm disappointed with the departure of the superintendent, because continuity is important to a city like Oakland," said Trish Gorham, president of the Oakland teachers union, adding that she understood his commitment to his family. "We expect the school board to move forward on their plans for a better Oakland school system."

Smith said he was proud of his achievements, even if there is still much to be done to address the needs of all students in the district.

Has he left the city better than he found it?

"I don't see how anybody could say that's not the case," he said.

Public support

Last year, a $475 million bond measure passed with 84 percent voter support, an example of the community's renewed confidence in and support of its schools.

When he took the job, Smith vowed to stay in Oakland for the long haul and raise his two daughters as public school students in the city.

He said this week that he's walking away from his dream job for his family.

"If you say you're about your family, then do things that are aligned to that," he said.

Smith said he doesn't have another job lined up.

"I literally have no idea what I'll do next," he said. "Wherever I go, I'll do the same stuff."